LEE BERWICK FUTURITY HEADLINES FINAL WEEKEND AT DELTA DOWNS

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Undefeated Native Shine will head $439,450
Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) field.
Photo by Jessica Hicks/Coady Photography


Louisiana Showcase Top Closing Weekend at Delta Downs

VINTON, LA—JULY 11, 2007—Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will conduct its 13th and final week of American Quarter Horse racing for 2007 between Thursday, July 12 and Sunday, July 15. Post time each night is at 6:30 p.m.
Louisiana Showcase Night Happens Saturday

The richest race night of the current American Quarter Horse season at Delta Downs will take place Saturday night. It's Louisiana Show Case Night, and it will feature seven stakes races for horses bred in Louisiana.

The richest event on Louisiana Showcase Night will be the restricted Grade I $439,450 Lee Berwick Futurity, named after the man who built Delta Downs and opened it in Vinton, Louisiana in 1973.

The top qualifier for the Lee Berwick Futurity is Noe and Starla Martinez, Jr.'s Native Shine. The First To Shine gelding is undefeated in three career starts including a victory in the Louisiana Laddie Futurity on May 5.

The other races that make up Louisiana Showcase Night include the restricted Grade II $150,000 Louisiana Classic, the $50,000 Live Oak, the $50,000 Flashy Hemp, the restricted Grade III $50,000 Vinton Stakes, the $50,000 Louisiana Juvenile, and the $40,000 Louisiana Starter.

Jockey And Trainer Standings

Alfonso Lujan is closing in on his first riding title at Delta Downs as the final week of the American Quarter Horse season gets underway on Thursday night.

Lujan has won 62 races and his mounts have earned $852,402 in purse money so far this season. Lujan owns a seven-win lead over last year's top jockey Danny Lavergne, who has been to the winner's circle 55 times.

Rounding out the top five riders as the final week of racing starts are J. R. Ramirez (43 wins), Gilbert Ortiz (41), and Orlando Baldillez (35).

It looks like M. Heath Taylor will capture another training title at Delta Downs. Taylor's barn has captured 34 victories and his horses have earned a total of $745,245 in purse money.

Following Taylor are Kenneth, L. Roberts, Sr. (28), Ray Robbins (28), Janet Van Bebber (22), and Danny Joe Eldridge (22).